As part of a three-year PhD study with the University of Auckland, Rosalyn Putland has been setting up six fixed hydrophones on the seafloor. Pictures / Jared Kibele
As part of a three-year PhD study with the University of Auckland, Rosalyn Putland has been setting up six fixed hydrophones on the seafloor. Pictures / Jared Kibele
Three years of eavesdropping in Hauraki Gulf will shed light on 22 resident species of whales and dolphins.
Some of us listen to whale sounds to relax or sleep - but for Rosalyn Putland, it's serious science.
By the end of the year, Ms Putland will have half a million minutes of recordings capturing the underwater sounds of the Hauraki Gulf, where 22 species of dolphin and whale have been found roaming.
While researchers have previously observed marine mammals in the gulf through more traditional means, the recordings collected by Ms Putland could add to our understanding of when, where and how they use sound.
"What we want is an all-round picture of what is happening at different times of the day and year, and in different places," she said.
As part of a three-year PhD study with the University of Auckland, the UK resident has been setting up six fixed hydrophones, or underwater microphones, on the gulf seafloor.
The power of the sound sources could indicate the location of mammals. Three of the devices have been specifically positioned near shipping lanes, in light of long-held concerns about the threat of ship strikes to whales.
Back at the university's Leigh Marine Laboratory, she has been using computer models to process the enormous amount of data.
"We record two minutes of every 20 - so I've collected more than 125,000 minutes so far."
Among the sounds already captured are the low moans of the critically-endangered Bryde's whale, which, despite being one of the third most common mammals found in the gulf, has only ever been recorded a handful of times worldwide.
"I also find it amazing that every single sound file I get is completely different - you are never going to get the same one twice," she said.
"Sometimes there will be a great big smile across my face, and everyone around me in the lab will say, oh, you're hearing dolphins again."
An endangered Bryde's whale feeding. Photo / Getty Images
Ms Putland will give an insight into her research at the Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre, Leigh, from 11am this Saturday.
Seaweek 2015
Seaweek, which started on Saturday and runs until Sunday - is a national celebration of our marine environment. This year the annual event encourages people to "look beneath the surface".
Northland: Ten presenters will be involved in a Seaweek-themed evening at the Old Library Building Arts Centre in Whangarei, from 7pm this Wednesday. On Sunday, a trip is being organised to Reotahi (Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve), from 10am-3pm. Email info@emr.org.nz for details.
Auckland: Watch a panel debate on the SeaChange project for the Hauraki Gulf, hosted from 7pm-9pm this Wednesday at the AUT City Conference Centre in Wellesley St East. From 7.30pm on Thursday at Somerville Intermediate School, Riley and Steve Hathaway from the TV series Young Ocean Explorers will share some of their underwater adventures. On Friday night, the film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou will be shown on the big screen at Silo Park, and activities will be hosted by Sustainable Coastlines on Saturday and during the Seaweek Activity Hub family day on Sunday. Visit seaweek.org.nz for details.
Waikato: A "Maui's Dolphin Day" and Recycled Raft Race will be held in Raglan on Sunday.
Bay of Plenty: The "Coastal Discovery Bike Ride at Waikareao Estuary" will be held on Saturday, when the University of Waikato Marine Field Station will also host an open day. Visit seaweek.org.nz for more details.
Tomorrow: Are we really doing enough to protect our ocean habitats
